Shloka 246

Jaratkāru’s Marital Compact and Departure (जरत्कारु–जरत्कारुणी संवादः)

Devanagari script

फलपुष्पोदकं नाम प्रतिग्राहयितुं नृपम्‌ तक्षकने कहा--तुमलोग कार्यकी सफलताके लिये राजाके पास जाओ, किंतु तनिक भी व्यग्र न होना। तुम्हारे जानेका उद्देश्य है--महाराजको फल, फूल और जल भेंट करना

Transliteration

phalapuṣpodakaṃ nāma pratigrāhayituṃ nṛpam

Translation

Takṣaka said: “Go to the king for the success of your undertaking, and do not become even slightly agitated. Your purpose in going is to present the king with the customary offering—fruits, flowers, and water.”

Word by Word

• फलपुष्पोदकम्: fruit, flowers, and water (as an offering)
• फलपुष्पोदकम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: फल + पुष्प + उदक
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• नाम: namely / called
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नामन्

• प्रतिग्राहयितुम्: to cause (someone) to accept / to present (so that it is accepted)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रति + ग्रह् (धातु: ग्रह्) (णिच् causative: ग्राहयति)
• Form: Infinitive (Tumun), Parasmaipada (causative base), Non-finite

• नृपम्: the king
• नृपम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृप
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• तक्षकः: Takshaka (the serpent)
• तक्षकः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: तक्षक
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• अकथयत्: said / told
• Type: Verb
• Root: कथ् (धातु: कथ्) + अ (augment)
• Form: Imperfect (Laṅ), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada

Speaker

तक्षक उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Takṣaka
• nṛpa (the king)
• phala (fruits)
• puṣpa (flowers)
• udaka (water)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the power of proper conduct and ritual etiquette in royal settings: approaching calmly and with respectful offerings can secure access and trust. Ethically, it also shows how outward forms of dharma (courtesy, gifts) may be used strategically, reminding readers to discern intention behind appearances.

What is happening in the narrative?

Takṣaka instructs agents to approach the king without anxiety and to present a conventional respectful gift—fruits, flowers, and water—so their mission will succeed by appearing harmless and properly mannered.